Rapid response to a fire that erupted in the back of the Rideout Market on Rt. 17 in Windsor, just over the Lincoln County line, kept the entire structure from burning to the ground on Monday.
Store clerk Chuck Feylor jumped into action when he learned the back outside wall of the store was on fire on Jan. 6. Feylor said he didn’t know what caused the fire at around 12:30 that afternoon, but a customer told him about smoke coming from the back of the store.
Upon opening the back door, Feylor saw that the rear outside wall was engulfed in flames. Feylor immediately dialed 911 emergency and proceeded to tear away the siding from the building with a broom.
Feylor said he and a customer were able to tear the siding down before the flames spread to the rest of the building. People from a neighboring garage came to the scene with fire extinguishers to help put out the flames.
Members of the Windsor, Whitefield, and Somerville fire departments all arrived at the scene within three or four minutes of his calling 911, Feylor said.
Somerville Fire Chief Mike Dostie said they had a good turnout for that time of day.
Jefferson Fire and Rescue personnel went to the Coopers Mills fire station to cover that area of Whitefield to stand by for any possible additional fires.
Jefferson Fire Chief Sheridan Bond said the fire started in a utility trailer full of cardboard near the back wall of the store, but could not say what started the fire in the first place.
Feylor said no one was injured from the fire.
“We got lucky,” he said. “The worst thing I got was a melted shoe.”